Rotary apparatus with moveable die

ABSTRACT

A rotary apparatus (20) for rotary forming of a web workpiece (12) and having a rotatable first roll unit (32) and corresponding rotatable second roll unit (34), a first die support (46) carried by the first roll unit (32), having a leading edge (51) and a trailing edge (52) respective to rotation of the first roll unit (32), a second die support (46) carried by the second roll unit (34), having a leading edge (51) and a trailing edge (52) respective to rotation of the second roll unit (34), the first and second roll units (32, 34) receiving a web workpiece (12) in a forming plane between the first and second roll units (32, 34), and in which each die support (46) includes a first part (46a) carried by the respective roll unit and including the leading and trailing edge and a second part (46b) having a platen surface for mounting a die, the second part (46b) being mounted on the first part (46a) for reciprocal motion transverse to the leading and trailing edges (51, 52).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to rotary apparatus for performing a variety offunctions on a moving workpiece. The workpiece may be a continuousstrip, or may be a series of separate strips, which move continuouslythrough the rotary apparatus. The material in many cases will be stripsteel, but the invention is of much wider application.

BACKGROUND ART

Rotary apparatus for performing a variety of functions on continuousstrip material such as strip steel, have been proposed over the last atleast fifty years. However, a need has remained for a rotary apparatusto satisfactorily perform precise functions on a moving strip. There arenecessarily upper and lower rotary devices which register with oneanother and they carry respective upper and lower rotary dies. It iswell known in all die forming operations that the two dies must registerprecisely with one another on opposite sides of the workpiece beforethey close. It is for this that most of the earlier proposals have notbeen successful. No way was known to achieve a satisfactory form ofprecise registration of each pair of dies.

However, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,397 of Ernest R. Bodnar, RotaryApparatus granted Aug. 20, 1991, there is shown a form of rotaryapparatus, in which upper and lower rotary devices carried semi-rotarydie carriers. The die carriers were themselves guided by guide pins. Theguide pins rode in cam tracks. The guide pins were located in pairs, oneat each end, of each of the semi-rotary devices, and the guide cams werelocated at opposite ends of the rotary devices.

By offsetting one of the guide pins at one end relative to the guide pinat the other end, and also by precisely profiling the guide cams at eachend of each of the rotary devices, it was possible to bring thesemi-rotary die supports into precise registration just prior toclosing, and during closing, and just after closing on the workpiece.This proposal has proved to be satisfactory for many applications. Animprovement to the above described apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,397is described in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,066,803. In thatpatent application, the inventor, Ernest R. Bodnar, describes theprovision of guide pins on each of the semi-rotary die supports. Byoffsetting respective forward and rearward guide pins on respectiveguide supports, and by providing two separate guide cams at each end ofthe rotary apparatus, it then became possible to provide for all fourpins to engage respective guide cams just prior to closing, duringclosing, and just after closing. This proposal may produce a muchimproved degree of registration between the respective dies carried onthe die support. This is particularly important in heavier dutyapplications, or in applications where the line speed was desired to beincreased. Even in this system however there were limitations. Forexample, it will be understood from a simple geometrical analysis thatwhereas two dies may register with one another just prior to closing,and during closing and after closing, they are in fact traversing arcsof a circle, as the rotary supports rotate.

This means that the linear speed of the die was greatest at the pointwhere the two dies closed, and was somewhat reduced just prior toclosing and just after closing.

On the other hand, since the dies are required to perform operations ona flat workpiece, whether a continuous strip, or discontinuous strippieces, it will be apparent that there is a very slight degree of"mismatch" in speed of forward movement as between the pair of dies, andthe workpiece between them just before closing and just after closing.Precise speed matching is achieved only at the point where the dies arefully closed on the workpiece and the planes of the two dies areprecisely tangential to each other.

In operations where relatively thin workpieces were being treated, orwhere relatively shallow formations were being formed, this slightdegree of mismatch in speed did not produce any serious consequences.However, it is desirable to apply this technology to a wider range ofproducts. It is desirable to apply this technology to products having agreater physical thickness than relatively thin sheet metal workpieces,and it is also desirable to apply this technology to the drawing ofdeeper formations in the workpiece.

In both of these cases, it is apparent that the contact time periodduring which the two dies are in contact with the workpiece will besomewhat increased as compared to working on thin sheet workpieces suchas thin sheet metal and/or drawing relatively shallow formations. Inthese cases, any degree of mismatch in linear speed between theworkpiece itself, and the two dies becomes much more significant.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide in the first place a method ofaccommodating the mismatch in speed occurring between the dies movingaround a rotary arc, and the workpiece moving along a linear path.

A further problem however relates to the design of the rotary apparatusitself.

In the above noted U.S. patent, and the development thereof describedabove, herein termed the "two pin rotary", and the "four pin rotary"respectively, the circumferential path around which the die itself couldpass was determined by the circumferential path around which thesemi-rotary die supports themselves could pass. This meant that if itwas desired to increase the size and particularly the depth, of thedies, the entire design of the rotary apparatus had to be redesigned toaccommodate these variations.

This clearly either limited the degree of application of the rotaryapparatus or meant that considerable engineering costs were incurredeach time the rotary apparatus was designed to handle a particular sizeand depth of die.

Clearly, it is desirable for a more or less standard size of rotaryapparatus to be arranged so as to accommodate dies which are themselvesof different sizes and in particular in which the dies are of differentdepths, without being obliged to re-engineer the entire rotary apparatusitself desirably, all that will be required is to place the rotarysupport devices on centres which are further apart for deeper dies orcloser together for shallower dies, and of course, to alter the size andpitch of the gears which interconnect them to ensure that they rotate inunison. This itself is a relatively much simpler task thanre-engineering the whole of each pair of the rotary devices themselves.

For the purposes of this application, the term "forming" is deemed toincorporate by reference any die operation which may be performed on aworkpiece, whether it may be termed in the trade as "embossing""forming" "drawing" "blanking" "cutting", or any other operation on aworkpiece which is performed by a pair of dies, and wherever used hereinthe term forming is deemed to incorporate any and all such operations,including those not specifically mentioned above.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a rotary apparatus forcontinuous rotary forming of web workpiece, the apparatus comprising arotatable first roll unit and corresponding rotatable second roll unit;a first die support member carried by the first roll unit, the first diesupport member having a leading edge and a trailing edge respective torotation of the first roll unit; a second die support member carried bythe second roll member, the second die support member having a leadingedge and a trailing edge respective to rotation of the second roll unit;means for transporting a web workpiece in a forming plane between saidfirst and second roll units; each die support member comprising a firstpart carried by the respective roll unit and including the leading andtrailing edge and a second part having a platen surface for mounting adie, the second part being mounted on the first part for reciprocalmotion transverse to the leading and trailing edges.

Each first and second die support member may be rotatably received in alongitudinal recess of its respective roll unit, the recess having aconcave arcuate bearing surface a complementary to a convex arcuatesurface of the first part of the respective die support member, therecess defining a concave section of a cylinder and the first part ofthe respective die support member defining a complementary convexsection of said cylinder. The respective concave and convex sections ofsaid cylinder may be minor sections.

Preferably, the first part of each first and second die support memberand the second part of the first and second die support members areconnected for reciprocal movement with respect to each other throughresilient connecting members. Each resilient connecting member may beformed of polyurethane rubber and may be seated in seating recesses inboth of the first and second parts. Stop members may be provided tolimit the reciprocal motion on one of the first and second parts.

Rotation of the first part of the die support member in the recess iscontrolled by cam means which may include a cam follower on at least oneend of the die support member in the region of the leading edge engaginga continuous cam. Suitably the cam means also includes a cam follower onthe other end of the die support member in the region of its trailingedge and engaging a continuous cam.

Alternatively the cam means may comprise a four pin system including acam follower on one end of a die support member in the region of aleading edge and engaging a continuous cam, a cam follower on the otherend of said die support member in the region of the leading edge andengaging a discontinuous cam, a cam follower on said one end of the diesupport member in the region of the trailing edge and engaging adiscontinuous cam, and a cam follower on the other end of said diesupport member and engaging a continuous cam.

According to the invention there is also provided a rotary apparatus forrotary forming of a web workpiece which apparatus comprises: a rotatablefirst roll unit and corresponding rotatable second roll unit, said unitsbeing connected for synchronous rotation through rotary cycles, each ofsaid units comprising a carrier having a central axis for rotationthereabout; means for transporting a web workpiece between said units ina forming plane at a web speed; means for rotating the first and secondroll units at constant opposite rotational speed to have a roll unittangential peripheral speed at the forming plane similar to the webspeed; each roll unit being provided with at least one recess defining aconcave minor section of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis parallelwith said carrier central axis; a die support member having a leadingedge and a trailing edge being rotatably received within said recess,the die support member including a first part having a curved convexsurface nested in said recess and defining a similar minor section ofsaid cylinder, the die support member also including a second partprojecting out of said recess and said die support member beingrotatable about the notional central axis of said cylinder and offsetfrom the first part of the die support member. The first part and thesecond part of each die support member may be separate one from theother and connectable one to the other.

The cam means, as in the previous alternative, may comprise a camfollower on at least one end of the die support member in the region ofthe leading edge engaging a continuous cam. Again, suitably, the cammeans includes a cam follower on the other end of the die support memberin the region of its trailing edge and engaging a continuous cam.

As before, the cam means may be a four pin system including a camfollower on one end of a die support member in the region of a leadingedge and engaging a continuous cam, a cam follower on the other end ofsaid die support member in the region of the leading edge and engaging adiscontinuous cam, a cam follower on said one end of the die supportmember in the region of the trailing edge and engaging a discontinuouscam, and a cam follower on the other end of said die support member andengaging a continuous cam.

The cam follower in the region of the leading edge and the cam followerin the region of the trailing edge may be located on end extensions ofthe die support member, the extensions extending out of the recess andrespectively flush with ends of the second part of the die supportmember. The axles of the die support member may also be located on theextensions. Such a system may provide substantial versatility. Forexample it may be possible to interchange dies of different depths onthe die support member.

Each roll unit may suitably include four die support members.

Bearing arms may provided for said axles of each die support member, thebearing arms being rotatable on the carrier central axis.

The invention further comprises a rotary apparatus wherein a cut tolength mechanism is provided upstream of the rotary forming apparatus,whereby the workpiece may be cut into separate plates or pieces, whichare then passed successively through the rotary apparatus, in timedrelation to the formation of openings, or other formations therein bythe rotary apparatus.

The invention further comprises such a rotary apparatus, whereinprovision may be made for separating one of the rotary units from theother in a pair of rotary units, so that a portion of workpiece may passtherethrough untreated while maintaining the rotation of said movedrotary unit, whereby to maintain the rotation of the two rotary units intimed relation continuously.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration in perspective of a manufacturingline incorporating rotary apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic illustration in perspective of a rotaryapparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration from an end of the rotary apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary apparatus of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a sketch of the comparison of rotary and linear speed of theworkpiece and dies respectively;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a die support member, and platen shoe;

FIG. 7 is a view of the platen shoe portion of the die support membershowing its connecting surface with the other part of the die supportmember (the die itself being omitted);

FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c illustrate reciprocal movement of the die support andthe die shoe at different stages in operation;

FIG. 9 is a sketch of an alternate embodiment of a rotary apparatus setup for feeding cut plate;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a roll forming line incorporatingthe upstream cut to length apparatus illustrated generally in FIG. 9;and,

FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation of a rotary apparatus showing theupstream cut to length apparatus, and also showing the movement of onerotary unit relative to the other.

MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a roll 10 of workpiecematerial web 12 such as metal sheet or plate, e.g. steel plate uponwhich it is desired to perform various shaping or forming operations.Such operations may typically be performed in a manufacturing line 14.Web material 12 may be unwound from roll 10 and passed continuouslyalong line 14, in the direction indicated by arrow A. Alternatively,when material 12 is plate, any other feed may replace roll 10. Thevarious forming operations are performed on material 12 as it passesdifferent points along line 14. As material 12 is unwound from roll 10,typical first operations may be rolling at stations 21 and die formingoperations, performed by a rotary apparatus 20 according to theinvention. Apparatus 20 may punch holes 22, or form complexindentations, or both, in material 12 as it passes through apparatus 20.Subsequent operations may typically include roll-forming operations atstation 23. Further operations as desired may be carried out at station24. The final operation is typically the cutting of material 12 incutting station 26 into standard lengths 28 convenient for furthermanufacturing or assembly processes and for storage. Stations 23, 24, 26are illustrated partly in schematic form. Some stations may incorporatetypical longitudinal roll forming dies well known in the art (not shown)and the cut off may in fact be a flying shear well known in the art (notshown) or another set of upper and lower rotary units, with suitabledies.

Further nip rollers (not shown) may be used to guide material 12 throughstations 23, 24 and 26. Of course, any number of stations 21, 23, 24 and26 may be used in sequence, as desired.

The above description of a typical manufacturing line is provided hereinin order to facilitate the description of the invention. The descriptionof the manufacturing line is not intended to limit the invention in anyway. Rather the apparatus according to the invention may be used in anymanufacturing line or in any situation requiring high speed, continuous,accurate die forming of strip material.

While references made herein to "sheet metal" it will be appreciatedthat the invention is not limited in any way to the forming of sheetmetal. A wide variety of different "materials" may require to be formed,within the generic meaning of that word as defined herein, using therotary apparatus in accordance with the invention. Such material may befed from a roll, or may be fed in pieces through the rotary apparatus,and accordingly where used herein the term "strip material" is deemed toinclude any such material which may be formed in such rotary apparatus,in accordance with the generic use of the term formed as defined herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is schematically illustrated a rotaryapparatus 20 according to the invention. Motor 30 drives upper roll unit32 in unison with and, at the same speed, as lower roll unit 34 throughtransmission 35 and shafts 36. The direction is, however, opposite. Theworkpiece web 12 passes between and is contacted by upper and lowerunits 32 and 34. Upper and lower units 32 and 34 may be supported bysuitable bearing means 37. In this embodiment motor 30 and transmission35 are such as to provide the outer surfaces of upper and lower units 32and 34 at the point of contact with material 12 with essentially thesame speed as material 12, so that there is no slippage or relativemotion between the material 12 and either or both of upper unit 32 andlower unit 34.

Motor 30, transmission 35, and bearings 37 may all be standardcomponents as are well-known in the machine tooling industry.

FIG. 3 illustrates in cross-section upper die unit 32 and lower die unit34 in position to die form sheet material 12. Upper unit 32 rotatescounter-clockwise in the direction indicated by arrow B. Lower unit 34rotates clockwise in the direction indicated by arrow C. Material 12moves from left to right in the direction indicated by arrow A.

It will be appreciated that the designations "upper", "lower", "left""right", "clockwise", and "counter-clockwise" are for convenience ofdescription only and are not intended to limit the invention, which willoperate equally effectively in any direction or orientation. Similarly,references to an "upper die" located in a certain position and to acorresponding "lower die" in a certain corresponding position are notintended to limit the invention. Upper and lower dies 38 and 40 operateas a pair and the individual location of each is irrelevant to theinvention so long as the pair operates together at the required locationand time.

Upper unit 32 is essentially identical to lower unit 34. Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, upper unit 32 includes upper carrier member 41, whichdefines a central axis L1 about which upper unit 32 rotates on shaft 36.Member 41 defines at least one (in the illustrated embodiment, there arefour) recesses or openings 42, each in the shape of a minor concavesection of a cylinder each having a notional axis L2. The sectionextends longitudinally parallel to the central axis L1 of member 41.Member 41 further defines abutments 43 between openings 42.

Referring to FIG. 4, the die support members 46 are retained withinopenings 42 by bearing arms 47 projecting radially from bearing member45 which is rotatable with the respective upper unit 32 or lower unit34.

A bearing member 45 is provided to each end of upper and lower units 32,34. Bearing arms 47 receive stub axles 47a projecting from each end ofdie support members 46, whereby the die support members 46 are retainedwithin recesses 42 but are able to rock within the recesses by rotationof stub axles 47a in pivot arms 47. In fact the axis of rocking of thedie support members is coincident with the notional axis L2 of thecylinder defined by curved surface, but is not coincident with thechordal surface, since the arc of the curved surface is less than 180°.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the progression of comparative points A1,A2, A3 . . . etc. at the rotational surface with points B1, B2, B3 . . .etc. of a die. From the projection of points A1, A2, A3 . . . etc. ontothe web 12 at respective points C1, C2, C3 . . . etc, that there isconsiderable variation of the linear speed component of a point strictlyon the rotational surface. Points A1, A2, A3 . . . etc. may betranslated to points B1, B2, B3 . . . etc. by rocking or swinging ofrotary member 46a in recess 42, thus advancing the leading edge of thedie support member with respect to the surface of rotation. Projectionof points B1, B2, B3 . . . etc. onto the web 12 to points D1, D2, D3 . .. etc. respectively show much less variation of the linear component ofthe compensated rotational speed.

Each die-support has a cross-section that is bounded by an arc and chordof a circle. The section is less than 180° of arc so that the rotarymember is less than a semi-cylinder. Die support member 46 alsocomprises a platen die shoe 46b connected to the rotary member 46a. InFIGS. 1 and 3, a first or leading guide pin or cam follower 48 extendsfrom one end of member 46 and a second or trailing guide pin or camfollower 49 extends from the other end member 46. Guide pins 48 and 49are mounted on end extensions 50, attached to opposite ends of rotarymember 46a.

As shown in FIG. 3, each die support member defines a leading edge 51and a trailing edge 52.

The die platens or shoes 46b are slidably retained within the diesupport 46a by means of longitudinal edge plates 53 secured to the endwalls of the die supports by means of bolts 54 (FIG. 6). Plates 53 mayengage either the side edges of the platen shoes 46b, or the side edgesof the dies 38, 40 themselves.

Resilient cushioning members 55 are located in recesses 56 in rotarymember 46a and in recesses 57 in platen shoes 46b. These resilientcushioning members 55 may be made of polyurethane rubber.

Guide pins 48, 49 ensure that the platen shoes 46b are located in thedesired position. Guide pins 48 and 49 are arranged to engage respectivefull cams 58 and partial cams 59 as described for example in U.S. Pat.No. 5,040,397, previously referred to. Full cams 58 are offset axiallyoutwardly and partial cams 59 are offset inwardly, in the mannerexplained in the aforesaid U.S. Patent. In this way cams 58 provideguidance and control around 360°, and cams 59 control each die supportfrom just prior to closing to just after closing of the dies. On amember 46, pins 48 and 49 define and lie on different axes adjacentleading and trailing edges 51, 52.

The platen die shoes 46b, are thus slidably mounted on support 46, andare biased centrally by cushioning members 55.

Stub axles 47a define axes which are outside the chord of the rotarymember 46a.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, leading and trailing pins 48, 49 are provided at bothends of member 46. Upper and lower dies 38-40 are mounted on platenshoes 46b of members 46 in any conventional manner (eg bolts--notshown). Dies 38-40 are mounted on members 46 essentially parallel to theplaten shoe 46b. FIGS. 4 and 6 show dies 38-40 and platen shoes 46b inforeshortened form so that view of other parts of the die support membermay be seen. The shoes 46b and dies 38-40 are shown in broken lines, inFIG. 4.

An opening 40a in the lower (female) die may be provided (FIG. 4) topermit a slug (not shown) to be ejected from the die.

Operation of the guide pins 48, 49 in conjunction with cams 58 and 59will now be described.

In FIG. 4 leading pins 48 and trailing pins 49 are provided at both endsof each member 46, and in FIGS. 1 and 3 leading pins are provided at oneend and trailing pins at the other end of each member 46.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, leading and trailing pins are shown at both ends.

Whatever the manner of providing leading and trailing pins, it isnecessary to provide a cam for guiding each set of pins for the properpositioning of the dies 38-40.

Where leading pins 48 and trailing pins 49 are provided at both ends ofthe members 46, the leading pins 48 may project outwardly of thetrailing pins for accessibility to their cam 58 in the region where thedie is to engage the workpiece 12 while allowing access of the trailingpins 49 to their cam 59 in the region where the die is to engage theworkpiece 12. It will of course be necessary to adjust the shape of cams58, 59 previously referred to, to engage the respective pins.

It will be appreciated that the cam paths 58 and 59 of FIG. 3 may beadapted to the use of pins 48 and 49 at each end of the member 46 byproviding cam surfaces only to engage pins 48, 49 when the respectivedie approaches, passes through and leaves the die forming region whereexact registration with the cooperating die is necessary.

Cams 58 and 59 are provided fixed relative to the axis L1. Cams 58 and59 are shaped and pins 48 and 49 are positioned relative to members 46whereby the forming planes of dies are essentially parallel to web 12immediately prior to, during and subsequent to closing. Because eachmember 46 is each supported by at least two pins on different axes themembers may be less prone to rock or otherwise move within theirfittings than were those in earlier rotary forming devices. Indeed, whenpins 48 and 49 are each provided at both ends of member 46, then themember is supported stably by four pins. Thus in comparison topreviously used rotary devices the clearances required by the camfollower mechanism do not have as great an effect on the accuracy ofperforming operations.

To ensure further accuracy, die registration pins 78 are provided toeither side of die 38. Each registration pin 78 registers with acomplementary bore 79 of the cooperating die member 40 of the otherunit. Pins 78 and bores 79 are shaped, sized and located on either sideof web 12 so that they may cooperate and register with each otherwithout interference with web 12. As upper and lower units 32 and 34rotate, register pins 78 on upper dies 38 extend toward and arepartially inserted into complementary bores 79 in lower dies 40 prior tocontact with web 12. As dies 38-40 come into contact with web 12, thepins 78 are fully inserted into the bores 79, thus ensuring the diescontact web 12 in proper registration with each other.

In operation upper and lower units 32 and 34 rotate. Each die rotatesthrough the successive illustrated positions of each unit. A closedposition of apparatus 20, which is the position at which web 12 isformed, stamped or otherwise treated is that in which two dies cooperateone with each other for this purpose. It may be regarded as defining thestarting point of the rotary cycle. Rotation continues, with each unitrotating to opposite hand.

At the starting position web 12 is formed by the upper and lower diesand, as rotation continues upper and lower dies are separated and pins48 and 49 follow their respective cams 58 and 59. As rotation continues,the pins 48 cause upper and lower members 46 to swing in their recesses42 to take up a proper position parallel to each other as theyre-approach the starting position.

The slidable mounting of the die shoe on the die support member enablesthe apparatus to compensate for varying actions between the linear webspeed and the rotational die speed.

This embodiment comprising a rotary die support member 46a and a platenshoe 46b. The shoe is reciprocal with respect to the supporttransversely to the central carrier axis L1. Such transverse movement,i.e. movement along the axis of the web, enables compensation of anydiscrepancy of speed between rotary units 32 and 36, and web 12. Theplaten shoe, 46b may move reciprocally on resilient cushioning members55 of which two are shown. The members 55 have enlarged ends to limitsliding. The reciprocal motion advances or recedes the platen shoe 46bwith respect to the rotary motion.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a die support member 46a is connected toa platen shoe 46b through resilient members which seat partially inrecesses of the rotary member 46a and partially in recesses of platenshoe 46b. Either one of rotary member 46a or platen shoe 46 has aH-shaped grease groove 80. Stop means are also provided. Thus, stop 82on end extension of rotary member 46a co-operates with abutment 84 onplaten shoe 46b.

In operation, as dies 38-40 approach the forming plane and contact web12, platen shoes 46b of both upper and lower units 32, 34 will beadvanced into the position shown in FIG. 8a. In this position, resilientmembers 55 are biased and deformed as shown. As dies 38-40 exactly passthrough the forming plane, the position of FIG. 8b is reached. Theequalization of the linear component of the rotary speed, and the webspeed matches the linear speed of the platen members 46b, the platenmembers have slid rearwardly to a median position (FIG. 8b).

As the dies 38-40 leave the forming zone, the linear component of thelinear die speed again decreases relative to the web, and the positionof FIG. 8c is reached. The die shoes are again drawn forwardly to matchthe web speed, until the dies separate from the workpiece. The die shoesthen slide back to their centre, median position.

Referring now to FIG. 9, rotary apparatus for forming pre-cut plates isprovided.

In this case, the rotary forming station is indicated generally by theupper and lower rotary formers 32 and 34.

These rotary formers are representative merely of the leading pair ofrotary formers, and there will typically be two or more sets of rotaryformers only one being illustrated here for the sake of simplicity.

In this embodiment of the invention, the cut-to-length operation iscarried out upstream of the rotary formers, so as to cut the strip intoseparate plates or webs of material each of which is separate from theother.

In order to do this, the continuous strip is first of all fed by meansrepresented as strip feed rolls 100. Typically, these will be feeding aweb or strip 12 of material from an uncoiler (not shown) of a type wellknown in the art, description of which is superfluous.

From the strip feed rolls 100 the strip passes over a set of hump roll102. The purpose of the hump roll, is to form the strip into a shallowupward curve, the purpose of which will be apparent below.

From the hump roll, the strip is then fed between a pair of cut offrolls 104. Typically, these cut off rolls will be made in the same wayas the rotary apparatus described above; that is to say they will haveupper and lower roll units, each of which is provided with at least onerotary die support as previously discussed, and the die supports will becontrolled by cams in the manner described above. In this case, it mayor may not be necessary to provide the sliding relationship between thedie shoe and die support described above, again for reasons described.

The cut off rolls 104 are normally stationary, and spaced apart asufficient distance for the strip to pass therethrough. They areoperated by any suitable control mechanism indeed generally as control106 which in turn is connected to a typical digital length measuringdevice 108 indicated simply as a roll operating on one side or both ofthe strip.

A plate pair of plate stop arms 114 are swingably mounted on a crossshaft 116, and at their upstream ends 118 are adapted to intercept theleading edge of the plate just before it enters the cut off rolls 104.

The stop arms 114 are connected to an operating arm 120 extending fromshaft 116 downstream, adjacent the upper rotary forming unit 32.

At its downstream free end it is provided with a cam roller 122.

The arm 114 is normally held in its upper position by means of thespring and adjustable bolt (not shown).

A feed cam plate 124 is mounted on the end of the upper rotary roll unit32. Cam plate 124 has a plurality, in this case four operating cams 126spaced apart therearound. The cam plate 124 is secured to the roll unit32 by means of arcuate slots 128 and adjustable fastening bolts.

In this way, the location and orientation of the cam plate relative tothe upper roll unit can be adjusted, for precise operation or in caseswhere the length of the plates cut off the end of the strip are variedfrom one run to another.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, strip material isfirst of all fed by the strip feed rolls to the hump table, where it isformed into a shallow upwardly convex hump.

In one mode of operation, the length of the strip material 12 is desiredto be cut off to form a plate, or separate web or piece, can be measuredby the strip measurement unit 108. A signal from the strip measurementunit 108 can then signal the control 106 to operate the cut off roll,and to cut off the leading end of the strip at a precise length therebyforming it into a plate or web piece, separate from the strip 12.

The spacing between the cut off rolls 104, is such that it is generallyspeaking appropriate to the length of the strip that it is desired tocut off and form into a plate.

The leading edge of the strip will already have been intersected by theupstream stop members 118 on the stop arms 114, so that the strip ismomentarily prevented from entering the cut off rolls 104.

Since at this point the strip is temporarily halted, the shallow upwardcurve of the strip on the hump table will gradually rise.

A cam 126 will then depress cam 120 and raise stops 118. The strip canthen pass between the cut off rolls, which are open, and stationary, atthis point.

The strip advances to the rotary former 32-34, in precisely timedrelation to the rotation of the former 32-34. Formations will then bemade at precise locations with reference to the leading edge of thestrip.

The measurement unit 108 will then signal control 106. The control 106will then operate the cut off rolls, to cut off the plate to the rightlength or web to the right length. In this way, the strip or web is cutto a predetermined precise length at predetermined intervals prior toentering the rotary former.

This will ensure that the rotary formers will form, and/or emboss and/orblank out the necessary formation in the piece of plate or piece of web,at precise intervals starting from the leading edge of the plate or webpiece which is fed from the plate feed rolls.

As an alternative to the mechanical cam operation of arms 114, it beoperated by eg a cylinder 129 (shown in phantom), connected to control106. Control 106 will then both sense the rotational position of rolls32-34, operate the cylinder 129 when the rolls are in the correctlocation for entry of the leading edge of the web.

Referring now to a further embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 11, provision may be made, in association with or without theupstream cut to length apparatus described in FIGS. 9 and 10, for themovement of one roll former unit 32-34 relative to the other. Thepurpose of such relative movement is to momentarily permit a portion ofthe workpiece to pass between the rotary formers, without any rotaryformations being formed therein. This may be desirable at the beginningor end of a predetermined length of a workpiece for example for variousreasons.

As illustrated therefor in FIG. 11, the upstream cut off rolls areindicated generally 104 and the idler roll is indicated generally as105.

A pair of intermediate feed rolls are indicated as 130--130.

A first pair of rotary unit is indicated as 132 and 134 respective. Itwill be appreciated that a second pair or more pairs of such rotaryrolls may be located downstream of the first pair, and would normally berequired to operate in the same way as described below, so that theworkpiece could pass through each pair of rotary unit, while they areinitially open, so that the dies on the respective rotary units willthen register precisely with formations already formed at the first pairof rotary units 132-134.

In the first pair of rotary units 132-134, the upper rotary unit 132 ismovable for example by means of an hydraulic cylinder 136, between alower operative position, and upper inoperative position shown inphantom.

It is essential that the upper movable roll 132 shall continue tooperate in timed relation to the lower roll 134 during such movement, sothat when they close once more i.e. when the upper rotary unit 132 islowered by the cylinder 136, that the two units are still rotating inunison in a coordinated fashion, with the various dies thereonregistering with one another in the manner described above.

In this embodiment, this is achieved by means of an idler roll 138,connecting rolls 130 and 134, and further downstream feed rolls 140 and142. All of these rolls are connected by gear mechanisms of a type wellknown in the roll forming art, which require no description, so that allof the rolls are rotating in unison in the appropriate directions.

The upper downstream feed roll 142 is connected by suitable gearing (notshown) of a type well known in the art to upper movable rotary unit 132,and since the movement of the upper rotary unit 132 is minimal, possiblyno more than an inch or so in extent, the gearing will not becomedisengaged, as between upper roll 142 and roll 132, and consequentlyroll 132 will continue to operate even when it is in its raisedposition, and when lowered once more will continue to operate inprecisely timed relationship with the lower rotary forming roll 134.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is given here by way of example only. The invention isnot to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described,but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A rotary apparatus for rotary forming in a forming plane aweb workpiece moving along a web feed direction comprising:a rotatablefirst roll unit and corresponding co-operating rotatable second rollunit mounted on opposite sides of the forming plane and each having anaxis of rotation parallel to said plane and perpendicular to said webfeed direction; a first die support member pivotally carried by saidfirst roll unit in a controlled angular orientation relative to the web;a second die support member pivotally carried by said second roll unitin a controlled angular orientation relative to the web; and whereineach said die support member include a first part carried by itsrespective roll unit and a second part having a platen surface formounting a die thereto, the second part being mounted on the first partfor reciprocal linear motion therebetween in the direction of movementof the web workpiece during forming thereof.
 2. A rotary apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, in which each first and second die support member isrotatably received in a longitudinal recess of its respective roll unit,the recess having a concave arcuate bearing surface complementary to aconvex arcuate surface of the first part of the respective die supportmember, the recess defining a concave section of a cylinder and thefirst part of the respective die support member defining a complementaryconvex section of said cylinder.
 3. A rotary apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, in which the first and second parts of each die support memberare connected for reciprocal movement through resilient connectingmembers.
 4. A rotary apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which rotationof the first part of the die support member is controlled by cam means.5. A rotary apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said die supportmember has a leading edge, a trailing edge and a pair of transverseends, and said cam means includes a cam follower on at least one saidend of the die support member in the region of the leading edge forengaging a continuous cam.
 6. A rotary apparatus as claimed in claim 4,wherein each said die support member has a leading edge, a trailing edgeand a pair of transverse ends, and said apparatus includes:a camfollower on one end of said die support member in the region of aleading edge and engaging a continuous cam, a cam follower on the otherend of said die support member in the region of the leading edge andengaging a discontinuous cam, a cam follower on said one end of the diesupport member in the region of the trailing edge and engaging adiscontinuous cam, and a cam follower on the other end of said diesupport member and engaging a continuous cam.
 7. A rotary apparatus asclaimed in claim 5, including a cam follower on the other end of the diesupport member in the region of its trailing edge for engaging anothercontinuous cam.
 8. A rotary apparatus for rotary forming, in a formingplane, of a web workpiece moving at a web speed in a web feed directioncomprising:a first roll unit and corresponding second roll unit formounting on opposite sides of said web, said units being connected forsynchronous rotation through rotary cycles, each of said units having acentral axis and being rotatably driveable thereabout in oppositedirections at a roll unit tangential peripheral speed at the formingplane similar to, and in the same direction as, the web speed; each rollunit being provided with at least one recess defining a concave minorsection of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis parallel to saidcentral axis; at least one die support member rotatably received in saidrecess, the die support member including a first part having a curvedconvex surface nested in said recess and defining a similar minorsection of said cylinder, the die support member also including a secondpart projecting out of said recess and controllably rotatable about anaxis parallel with the carrier central axis; the second part beingmounted on the first part for relative reciprocal linear motiontherebetween in the direction of movement of the web workpiece duringforming thereof.
 9. A rotary apparatus as claimed in claim 8, includinga cam follower on at least one end of the die support member in theregion of the leading edge engaging a continuous cam.
 10. A rotaryapparatus as claimed in claim 8, includinga cam follower on one end of adie support member in the region of a leading edge and engaging acontinuous cam, a cam follower on the other end of said die supportmember in the region of the leading edge and engaging a discontinuouscam, a cam follower on said one end of the die support member in theregion of the trailing edge and engaging a discontinuous cam, and a camfollower on the other end of said die support member and engaging acontinuous cam.
 11. A rotary apparatus as claimed in claim 9, includinga cam follower on the other end of the die support member in the regionof its trailing edge engaging a continuous cam.
 12. A method of forminga web workpiece comprising the steps of:passing said web workpiece in aweb feed direction along a linear path at a web feed speed, betweenupper and lower roll units rotatably carrying respective upper and lowerdie sets thereon; continuously rotating said upper and lower roll unitsin opposite directions, to move said upper and lower die sets intoangularly controlled forming engagement with said workpiece, said diesets being slidable along the axis of movement of said web (12) relativeto respective said upper and lower roll units; and, permitting said diesets to slide relative to said roll units in said direction duringclosing of said die sets on said workpiece and during opening of saiddie sets from said workpiece, whereby to match the speed of saidworkpiece while said die sets are in engagement with said workpiece. 13.A method of forming a web workpiece as claimed in claim 12 wherein thesteps of permitting said die sets to slide during closing of said diesets on said workpiece and during opening of said die sets from saidworkpiece, include:permitting said die sets to slide forwards in thedirection of the movement of said web workpiece during the closing ofsaid die sets; permitting said die sets to return to a median positionwhile said die sets are in engagement with said workpiece; andpermitting said die sets to slide forwards again during the opening ofsaid die sets.
 14. A rotating assembly for use as one of a pair ofco-operating rotating assemblies for forming a web workpiece while thatworkpiece is advancing in a web feed direction in a forming plane, saidrotor assembly comprising:a rotor having a rotor axis parallel to saidplane and perpendicular to said web feed direction; a die mount formounting a die, said die mount pivotally connected to said rotor andcontrolledly pivotable about a die mount axis parallel to said rotoraxis for presenting the die to the workpiece at a controlled angularorientation; said rotor being driveable to engage the die with the web,and said mount permitting translation of the die relative to said diemount axis in said feed direction during engagement of the die with theweb.
 15. The rotating assembly of claim 14 wherein said die mountcomprises a first part pivotally mounted to said rotor, and a secondpart slidably mounted to said first part, said second part having a seatfor rigidly mounting the die thereto.
 16. The rotating assembly of claim14 wherein said assembly further comprises a die angle governorco-operable with said rotor to control the angular orientation of thedie during rotation of said rotor.
 17. The rotating assembly of claim 14wherein said angular orientation is controllable before and afterengagement of the web.
 18. The rotating assembly of claim 14 whereinsaid angular orientation is constant relative to the web duringengagement of the die with the web.
 19. The rotating assembly of claim15 wherein said second part is biased to one position relative to saidfirst part.
 20. The rotating assembly of claim 19 further comprising aresilient biasing member connected between said first and second parts.21. The rotating assembly of claim 20 wherein said first and secondparts have co-operating recesses, and said resilient member is capturedbetween said parts in said recesses.
 22. The rotating assembly of claim16 wherein said governor is a cam system, and said die support memberhas at least one cam follower engageable with said cam system.
 23. Therotating assembly of claim 18 wherein mount includes a first partpivotally mounted to said rotor and a second part slidably mounted tosaid first part, said second part having a platen for supporting thedie, and said angular orientation is controllable for maintaining saidplaten parallel to said plane during engagement of the die with the web.